The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, has firmly rejected claims of engaging in a supremacy battle with other monarchs, emphasizing his role as a steadfast guardian of Yoruba culture and tradition.
The statement, released on Thursday, August 21, 2025, by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, comes amid reported tensions with the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, following the Ooni’s conferment of the title Okanlomo of Oduwa on businessman Dotun Sanusi during the launch of the 2geda social media platform in Ibadan.
In the statement, the Alaafin reiterated his commitment to the welfare of his subjects and the preservation of Yoruba heritage, dismissing any need for rivalry.
“The Alaafin does not need to engage in any battle for supremacy with any Oba, either in Yorubaland or anywhere in the universe,” Durojaiye declared, quoting Alexander Graham Bell to highlight Oba Owoade’s steady and purposeful leadership.
The statement portrayed the Alaafin as a monarch whose reign combines humility with royal authority, describing him as “Iku Baba Yeye” (the one who commands death) and “Ekeji Orisha” (second-in-command to the gods), a direct representative of deities like Ifa and Sango.
The Alaafin’s administration emphasized the historical significance of Oyo, founded by Oranmiyan, Oduduwa’s grandson, which rose to prominence as West Africa’s largest empire through trade and military prowess.
The statement noted that the British recognized the Alaafin’s lineage as the “Superior Head of the Yoruba Nation” during colonial times, signing the Treaty of Cessation with Oyo’s monarch.
This historical legitimacy, it said, underscores Oba Owoade’s focus on cultural preservation and governance rooted in the Oduduwa dynasty.
Durojaiye highlighted the Alaafin’s covenant with Yoruba ancestors to protect and enhance Yoruba norms, stating, “He will never compromise tradition, culture, or the development of his people for personal gain.”
The statement celebrated Oyo’s ancient city as a repository of rich cultural resources, with the Alaafin’s monarchy upholding a sophisticated civilization that has shaped governance, religion, and economic life for generations.
As tensions linger in Yorubaland, the Alaafin’s statement seeks to refocus attention on unity and cultural pride, positioning Oba Owoade as a monarch dedicated to progress and tradition without the need for rivalry.
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